I've had the opportunity to dine at several Ruth Chris' and they are quite good. They and Morton's are the best chains in my mind. They are dressy in that a coat and tie is acceptable, in fact what you will see mostly, but not required. I believe their official stance is "business attire" ie collared shirt, no jeans or shorts.
If you get the opportunity it is worth going at least one time.

Local favorite would be Lolo Steakhouse in Montana, short drive from where I went to school. For everyday Outback makes a nice steak for less than 20 dollars and on the upper end I prefer The Keg to the other chains. Best for your buck.

Welcome to the board Kodiak! I hope you'll join us in our discussions on the board.

Sat Mar 19, 2005 1:37 pm

Guest

In Phoenix, I like Durant's in downtown PHX for a special meal. They are expensive (to me at least), but worth it for an anniversary, birthday, or other special evening. Expect to pay more than $45.00 per person (appetizer, entree, one side dish, one dessert, tax and tip). The steaks were incredible and one person in our party had seafood. You can also spot a local celebrity as this place has been around for 50+ years.

All of their steaks are wet-aged for 21 days and cooked over mesquite. Make sure to try them if you are in the PHX area and are looking for a special evening.

Oh Guest where were you two weeks ago when I needed you?
I was in Pheonix on business and had I known I would have absolutely checked this place out. I'm always in the mood for a good steak. I did get to eat at a place downtown called Kincaids that was really good though.

If you are ever in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, you have to go to 'Grate Steak'. It is a local chain of 3 or 4 restaurants, but their steaks are the best. You can actually cook them yourself over a huge charcoal firepit. You can request them to do it, but that would be a sacriledge for most of us - almost like using steak sauce! I get the T-Bone everytime and have not been disappointed. Salad bar and baked potatos are great too.

Rick T.

"When you see a pink ring, you know you are in the presence of a Master Pit Boss..."

The best steak house I have been to is Delmonico Steakhouse in the Venetion Hotel in Las Vegas. It is very pricey, and very worth it.

That's one of Emerill's places and was pretty good. Service was excellent, steak was more than adequate but not excellent. I'll tell you what was excellent and i highly recommend it....the grill chees appetizer. Yep, that's right...a grill cheese. I'm looking through this menu w/ all this fancy stuff on it and see grille cheese. Had to try it...mmmmmmmm.

Wed May 11, 2005 9:00 pm

Guest

Kodiak wrote:

Local favorite would be Lolo Steakhouse in Montana, short drive from where I went to school. For everyday Outback makes a nice steak for less than 20 dollars and on the upper end I prefer The Keg to the other chains. Best for your buck.

where in MT would Lolo's be? I'll be riding out there for about a week in August and i'm always looking for a good steak.

Bone's, Chops, or NY Prime in Buckhead (entertainment district just north of the city center)...if you've got the cash to throw around.

There are 3 Ruth's Chris in the city, and they are very good, but there's just something about a chain that dampens the experience of a new place in a new city. Same goes for Capital Grille and Emeril's (also in Buckhead), but they do have two of the best atmospheres of any restaurant I've been to.

If you don't want to spend $$$$, go to Blackstone in Vinings, Stoney River in either Roswell or Duluth, or Aspen's in Marietta.

...I'll be sure to go to Peter Luger when I'm in NYC and have some cash...lots of cash.

Well I have to say that if you want to have a nice Steak and your from out of town you must go to The Keg. Here in Vancouver Canada they are a chain of restaurants. Very nice steaks. Thick and juicy and made to your liking. From Blue rare to Chicago style and thick too. Did I already say the "thick" part. This restaurant is famous for it's seafood too. They are all over the lower mainland and have a really nice priviate dinner experiance. You have to check it out.

Several people have mentioned Ruth's Cris, and I agree that they do a fantastic job. But they are way overpriced IMO.

My hands-down favorite is Ted's Montana Grill, another chain. I've never had their beef, but I get a bison strip or ribeye every time I have the fortune to be near one at dinnertime. The taste is fantastic, and oh so tender and juicy. I'd rank it as good as or better than Ruth's offerings any day.

For those who aren't familiar with the chain, check out their website (tedsmontanagrill.com I believe). The Ted in the name is non other than Ted Turner, who also happens to own several bison ranches around the country. They offer other bison dishes, too, including incredible burgers. If you don't want bison, they also offer beef and bbq classics like beer can chicken.